More Than 30 Iranian Students Lashed 99 Times Over Party

Iran's judiciary says more than 30 students have received 99 lashes each for violating the Islamic republic's morality code.

Mizan, a news agency affiliated with the judiciary, on May 27 quoted the prosecutor in Qazvin as saying the punishments were meted out in the northwestern city.

No date was given.

"Following a report about a large number of young boys and girls mingling together in a villa around Qazvin, all those taking part in the party were arrested immediately," Esmail Sadeghi Niyaraki said.

Niyaraki said the students at the graduation party "were half-naked, consuming alcohol, and were engaged in indecent behavior."

He said the students, who participated in a graduation party, were arrested, interrogated, and were each given 99 lashes within 24 hours.

Alcohol is illegal in Iran, and mixed dancing is banned, especially if females do not wear a veil.